Himachal records its highest ever voter turnout in LS polls history
Himachal Pradesh has recorded its highest ever voter turnout of 71.73% in the general elections since Independent India’s first Lok Sabha elections in 1951-52. The seven-phase polling for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections concluded on Sunday in 542 out of 543 parliamentary constituencies. The results of the 17th Lok Sabha elections will be announced on Thursday.
EC’s surrender before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked the Election Commission, saying its “capitulation before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his gang is obvious”. Rahul tweeted, “From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, ‘Modi’s Army’ & now the drama in Kedarnath”. He added that the poll panel was once feared and respected but not anymore.
Nadal beats Djokovic to win his 9th Italian Open title
World number two Rafael Nadal defeated world number one Novak Djokovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and 25 minutes on Sunday to clinch the Italian Open for the ninth time. Nadal also broke a tie with Djokovic by claiming a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title. For his victory, Nadal received 1,000 ATP Ranking points and earned ₹7.5 crore.
Had to sell off house, property: Actress on not being paid for show
Opening up about the struggle she faced while working on a show during her initial days, television actress Rubina Dilaik revealed she wasn’t paid her dues for the last three months which were in lakhs. “For nine months, I pleaded for my money…I had to sell off my house and property because I couldn’t pay off my EMIs,” she added.
Exit polls all wrong, will wait till May 23 for results: Tharoor
After most exit polls predicted BJP-led NDA will come back to power with around 300 seats, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted, “I believe exit polls are all wrong.” “In Australia…56 different exit polls proved wrong. In India many people don’t tell pollsters the truth fearing they might be from the government. Will wait till 23rd for real results,” he added.
909 social media posts removed, 647 cases of paid news in polls: EC
Election Commission has revealed 647 cases of paid news were registered and 909 social media posts were removed during the Lok Sabha elections. Of the 909 social media posts, 650 were taken down by Facebook, including 482 political posts during ‘silence period’ and 73 political advertisements. The poll body added that 1,297 social posts were taken down during 2014 elections.
34 people vote at world’s highest polling booth in Himachal Pradesh
Thirty-four registered voters exercised their franchise at the world’s highest polling booth, located at more than 15,250 feet above sea level in Himachal Pradesh’s Tashigang village, on Sunday. The temperatures were below freezing point when the polling began at 7 am. A polling team had reached there on Friday and EVMs were brought in helicopters by the Indian Air Force.
WI pick Bravo in WC reserve squad despite him retiring 7 months ago
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who retired from international cricket in October last year, has been named in Windies’ 10-man reserve squad for the 2019 World Cup. All-rounder Kieron Pollard and fast bowler Keemo Paul have also been selected in the reserve squad. The reserves will participate in a four-day camp in Southampton from May 19 to 23.
Once fell sick on boat while fishing, felt I was going to die: ABD
Ex-South Africa captain AB de Villiers has revealed he once fell sick on boat during a 10-hour fishing trip with Albie Morkel and Morne Morkel in Sydney. “I got sick after two hours and for eight hours I was lying on top deck…feeling…I was going to die,” he added. He further said he could feel God’s presence at that moment.
4 arrested for kidnapping, killing friend to whom they owed ₹10L
Four persons have been arrested for abducting and killing their friend in Greater Noida to avoid repaying him ₹10 lakh they had borrowed. According to police, the accused abducted Mohit Nagar in a car, shot him five times and dumped his body in a canal. Mohit’s brother said the suspects had called his brother to collect the money that night.
28-yr-old molests policewoman on being asked to move bike, arrested
A 28-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly molesting a policewoman in South Mumbai’s Agripada. The accused touched the constable inappropriately in a fit of rage after he was forced to move his bike, which he had parked in a no-parking area. He was booked for outraging a woman’s modesty and obstructing a public servant from performing her duties.
23-year-old Mumbai man drowns in Savitri river while urinating
A 23-year-old Mumbai bank professional died after drowning in Savitri river while urinating in it. Prahlad Varvatkar was attending the wedding of one of his friends along with eight others, when the group went to urinate and he fell in the river pit and drowned. A case of accidental death has been registered.
1 injured in firing at polling booth in Punjab’s Bathinda
A man was injured in firing on Sunday after clashes between two groups erupted outside a polling booth in Punjab’s Bathinda constituency during the seventh phase polling of the general elections. “We have registered a case under 307 of IPC after recording the statement,” police said. The polling at the booth was resumed after the violence ended, the police added.
Punjab CEO thanks people for peaceful polls in all 13 LS seats
Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr S Karuna Raju thanked the people of the state for coming out in large number and voting peacefully in all the 13 Lok Sabha seats. He said that 117 all women polling stations also saw large numbers of voters. He added that overall three cases were registered for posting videos and photographs while voting.
Can’t believe exit polls and their accuracy: Punjab CM Singh
After most exit polls forecast a majority for the ruling BJP-led NDA in general elections, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said, “I saw no reason to believe the exit polls, which just couldn’t predict the results with accuracy.” Singh added even if he goes around Punjab to “gauge the voter swing”, he wouldn’t be able to do it with “complete accuracy”.
Ashwin to play six county games for Nottinghamshire
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to play for English county side Nottinghamshire ahead of the ICC Test Championship. This will be Ashwin’s second stint in English County, having played four games for Worcestershire during the 2017 season. The World Test Championship will begin after the ICC World Cup 2019 with the Ashes 2019 in England starting the event.
Facebook opens payments, blockchain focused firm in Switzerland
Facebook set up a new firm named Libra Networks focusing on blockchain and payments along with data analytics and investing, in Switzerland, as per Geneva’s commercial register quoted by Reuters. Earlier a report had stated Facebook is developing a cryptocurrency ‘stablecoin’, to first be tested in India. Libra Networks was registered on May 2 with Facebook Global Holdings as stakeholder.
Around 2.5 kg gold worth ₹82 lakh seized at Chennai airport
The customs officers at the Anna International Airport, Chennai seized around 2.5 kilograms of gold worth ₹82 lakh from different passengers in three separate incidents. The officers seized 895 grams of gold in one incident, 566 grams in other and 1.028 kilograms of gold in the third incident. In one incident, the gold was concealed in a SIM card cutter.
McD reopens 13 Delhi NCR outlets after settlement with partner
Connaught Plaza Restaurants (CPRL), which operates McDonald’s chain in northern and eastern India, on Sunday said it has reopened 13 outlets in Delhi NCR. The outlets will have refreshed menu, merchandising and packaging. The burger chain temporarily shut over 160 outlets after McDonald’s India reached a settlement with former partner Vikram Bakshi, acquiring full ownership in their joint venture.
